Rookie Report Card: Grading all Octagon newcomers UFC Baku post-mortem

You solely get one Final Preventing Championship (UFC) debut!

Three rookies debuted in “Metropolis of Winds” yesterday (Sat., June 21, 2025) at UFC Baku, which passed off inside Baku Crystal Corridor in Baku, Azerbaijan. UFC’s newest batch of newbies went 1-2.

Now that the mud has settled, let’s grade their respective performances beneath:

Rizvan Kuniev

Russia’s Rizvan Kuniev suffered a “Razor”-thin cut up resolution loss to Curtis Blaydes within the UFC Baku ‘Featured Combat,’ narrowly lacking the chance to assert Blaydes’ No. 5 rating within the Heavyweight division.

Kuniev struggled within the opening spherical, the place Blaydes dominated together with his superior wrestling and suffocating clinch work, successfully neutralizing Kuniev’s offense. Nevertheless, Kuniev discovered his rhythm within the second and third rounds, showcasing his resilience and hanging capability. He managed to land important photographs, visibly marking up the previous Heavyweight title challenger and making the combat intensely aggressive down the stretch.

Looking back, dropping the prospect to interrupt into the High 5 could also be a blessing in disguise for Kuniev. The elite Heavyweights on the prime of the division, with their mix of energy, method, and expertise, want to run Kuniev over.

Regardless of the loss, Kuniev proved he belongs within the UFC’s Heavyweight division (which completely blows) and is a welcome addition. His efficiency demonstrated that he could be a formidable contender towards fighters within the decrease half of the rankings, bringing much-needed pleasure and potential to the division.

For his subsequent combat, a matchup towards Thomas Petersen can be an intriguing take a look at.

Last grade: B

Tofiq Musayev

Former Bellator fighters proceed to falter of their UFC debuts, as Tofiq Musayev’s eagerly awaited octagon debut was derailed by unranked light-weight standout Myktybek Orolbai, who secured a first-round end with a kimura submission (watch highlights).

The combat was primarily one-way visitors with Orolbai relentlessly taking Musayev down earlier than locking within the fight-ending submission.

Musayev’s lackluster debut stemmed from questionable combat IQ and poor grappling expertise. Recognized for his devastating kicks, the Azerbaijani repeatedly focused Orolbai’s physique, leaving himself weak to takedowns. Somewhat than working to face, he chased inconceivable submissions, which solely prolonged Orolbai’s dominance.

At 35, this was seemingly Musayev’s sole shot at a UFC title run, although he insists age is merely a quantity.

With the suitable matchmaking—pairing him with strikers like Drew Dober somewhat than grapplers like Orolbai—Musayev might nonetheless ship thrilling UFC bouts.

Last grade: F

Seok Hyeon Ko

The lone rookie winner was Korea’s Seok Hyeon Ko, who upset Oban Elliott to win a dominant unanimous resolution. Elliott was the most important betting favourite on the cardboard.

Coming into UFC Baku, Ko was recognized for his hanging and knockout energy, however that went out the window for his debut as he carried out wrestling and did it good.

He outstruck Eliott in spherical one after which outgrappled Eliott within the ultimate two rounds, dominating him.

I need to admit, I wasn’t too excessive on Ko getting a contract on Contender Sequence, because it wasn’t an excellent efficiency, however he confirmed up in his debut and confirmed he’s rather more than a knockout artist.

Who is aware of how his UFC profession will go, however I’d be curious about a matchup with Danny Barlow